Gem setting having a securing member

ABSTRACT

A reliable securing member for mounting a gemstone within a piece of jewelry. The securing member having an opening therein that receives a gemstone and displays the gemstone through a cavity within a piece of jewelry such as a ring. The securing member is then attached to an inner surface of a piece of jewelry by use of at least an extension means in any fashion that is known in the art such as, but not limited to, soldering.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of gem settings in general,and particularly to a securing member that is used to maintain a gem ina secure fashion in a piece of jewelry without obscuring the luster ofthe gem.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Gem setting normally comprise a number of metal prongs or legsradiating from a base, ends of the prongs to be bent over and holdcaptive a stone, without unduly concealing the stone's surface. Aconventional method for forming settings for jewels and the likeinvolves soldering to a shank of a ring on opposing sides of the jewel.A faceted gemstone or the like is then forced into the opposing prongswhich are then bent over to maintain the gemstone therein.

[0003] The prong settings have several drawbacks. The prongs can becaught on items of clothing and separated from its secure connectingwith the gemstone and as a result the gemstone will be loosened or lost.In addition, using the prong system especially with larger gemstones orodd shaped gemstones requires the prongs to have a longer length andresults in less force being exerted upon the gemstone. Furthermore, thelonger length of the prongs also decreases the leverage thereof and itbecomes more susceptible to torsional forces.

[0004] The prior art does not address the need for using a gemstonesetting that is able to securely maintain the gemstone within a piece ofjewelry. In addition, the prior art fails to provide an inexpensive wayof maintaining the gemstone within the setting. Therefore, there remainsa long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art ofgemstone settings that is simpler in both design and use, is moreeconomical, efficient in its construction and use, and eliminates theaccidental loosening or loss of gemstones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention toovercome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] In particular, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a secure gemstone setting to prevent the loosening thereof.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a securegemstone setting to prevent the loss thereof.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a securegemstone setting that is easy to manufacture.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide agemstone setting that is cost effective to manufacture.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide agemstone setting that prevents the prying apart of the prongs.

[0011] In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a uniquegemstone setting is herein disclosed. A securing member has an openingtherethrough that may be adapted to receive and retain a gemstone of anyshape therein. A piece of jewelry has a cavity defined by a first edgethereof. Said first edge defining a cavity of sufficient size and shapeto receive and retain a gemstone therein yet allowing display thereofthrough said cavity. At least a prong connecting the securing member tothe piece of jewelry such that the gemstone is maintained between thefirst edge of the piece of jewelry and the securing member.

[0012] Such stated objects and advantages of the invention are onlyexamples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of theinvention herein will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the embodiments of the invention when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for thepurposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits ofthe invention.

[0014] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denotesimilar elements throughout the several views:

[0015]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a first member.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first member also illustratingthe attachment thereof to a first element.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first element.

[0018]FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a first member as attached to asecond member illustrating the first element and gemstone therein.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second member.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a piece of jewelryillustrating the first element therein.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a partial cutaway elevational view of a piece of jewelryillustrating the attachment of the first element therein.

[0022]FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view illustrating the attachment ofthe first element to a piece of jewelry.

[0023]FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an alternate preferred embodimentof the first member.

[0024]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate preferred embodimentof the first member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, therein is illustrated afirst member 10 for receiving a gemstone 12 therein. Gemstone 12 may anyarticle that is to be maintained within first member 10 such as, but notlimited to, a precious, semi-precious, or non-precious stone. Forpurposes of illustration, but not limitation, gemstone 12 may be adiamond, ruby, sapphire, emerald, topaz, tanzanite, peridot, citrine, orcubic zirconia. It is also to be understood that the shape and the sizeof gemstone of 12 may vary and are not limited. First member 10 has anouter surface 14 and an inner surface 16 whereby a cavity 18 is axiallydefined by inner surface 16 and extending therethrough.

[0026] Inner surface 16 and outer surface 14 are joined at a first edge20 and a second edge 22 at opposing ends thereof. First edge 20 andsecond edge 22 also define cavity 18. First edge 20 is sufficientlysmaller in diameter than second edge 22 such that gemstone 12 may beinserted through second edge 22 yet received and maintained by firstedge 20 within cavity 18. At least an extension 24 extends from innersurface 16 and is substantially axially parallel with cavity 18 and ispreferably more proximal to first edge 20 and extends towards secondedge 22. In another preferred embodiment, there are at least twoextensions 24; however, there may be a plurality of extensions 24 asrequired.

[0027] After a gemstone 12 is received within first edge 20, a firstelement 26 is attached to extension 24 in a plane that is perpendicularthereto. First element 26 is preferably a thin elongated member that isenclosed upon itself to define an opening 28 therein. First element 26is attached to extension 24 in any fashion that is known in the art suchas, but not limited to, soldering. The size and shape of first element26 may be altered to accommodate any size or shaped gemstone 12 withinopening 28 such that gemstone 12 does not pass completely therethrough.

[0028] In addition, extensions 24 may also be bent such that they areangled inwardly so that the distance between opposing extensions 24 isless than the distance between opposing sides of first edge 20. In suchan arrangement, a bottom end 30 that is distal to a top end 32 ofgemstone 12 may be accommodated by an opening 28 of first element 26having a smaller diameter than cavity 18 of first member 10.Accordingly, first element 26 acts as a securing member to maintaingemstone 12 in a setting in a secure fashion such that extensions 24 arenot easily pried open and their grip on gemstone 12 is not defeated. Insuch an arrangement, gemstone 12 cannot fall out of the setting as aresult of the failure of extensions 24.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, a second member 34 is adapted toreceive first member 10 therein. Second member 34 has a first end 36 anda second end 38 interconnected by a middle portion 40. First end 36 andsecond end 38 are bent around middle portion 40 such that they opposeone another to form a gap 42 therebetween. First member 10 is adapted tobe received within gap 42 and to be securely attached to first end 36and second end 38. In such an arrangement, an aperture 44 is defined byfirst end 36, middle portion 40, second end 38, and first member 10.Aperture 44 may be of sufficient size to accommodate a finger, a wrist,an ankle, or a neck of a user therein. In other words, first member 10may be adapted to fit onto any piece of jewelry such as, but not limitedto, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, a necklace, or a brochure.

[0030] First member 10 may also have at least a protrusion 46 extendingfrom outer surface 14 thereof and being adapted to be received within acorresponding recess 48 on at least first end 36 and second end 38 for amore secure attachment. First member 10 and second member 34 may beconnected in any fashion that is known in the art such as, but notlimited to, soldering or adhesives. The various parts of first member10, second member 34, and first element 26 may be of any precious,semi-precious or non-precious materials, such as but not limited to,platinum, gold, silver, metals, and various alloys. The type of materialused for first member 10, second member 34, and first element 26 are notcritical to the invention and are interchangeable.

[0031] Now referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in another preferred embodiment,first member 10 and second member 34 may be one integral unit wherebythey may be cast in one unitary piece without the requirement of aconnection therebetween. In such an embodiment, cavity 18 is againdefined by first edge 20 and extends through second edge 22. At least anextension 24 extends from inner surface 16 and is adapted to maintainfirst element 26 in the same horizontal plane as first edge 20 such thatcavity 18 and opening 28 are axially aligned. Gemstone 12 may now besecured within and partially through cavity 18 as previously described.

[0032] Now referring to FIG. 8, in a rear view it is illustrated thatgemstone 12 is securely maintained by extensions 24 and first element26. It can be appreciated that cavity 18 may be adapted to accommodate agemstone 12 that is cut in any shape that is known in the art or yet tobe developed. In addition, first element 26 may also be adapted toaccommodate and securely retain a gemstone 12 that is cut in any shapethat is known in the art or yet to be developed.

[0033] Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, illustrates an alternatepreferred embodiment for first member 10. First edge 20 receives andmaintains gemstone 12 within cavity 18. At least an extension 24 extendsfrom second edge 22 and is adapted to receive first element 26 thereonto secure bottom end 30 of gemstone 12 within opening 28. In addition,an attaching member 50 is secured to outer surface 14 of first member 10such that a hole is defined by attaching member 50. A elongated member(not shown) such as a chain may be passed through hole 52 of attachingmeans 50 such that first member 10 may be worn as a pendant around theneck of a user. In addition, a plurality of first members 10 may beinterconnected to form a loop that may be worn around the finger, wrist,ankle, belly, or neck of a user.

[0034] While the above description contains many specificities, theseshould not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention,but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof.Many other variations are possible without departing from the essentialspirit of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention shouldbe determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gem setting apparatus, comprising a firstmember defining a cavity to receive a gemstone therein; and a firstelement for securely maintaining said gemstone within said first member.2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first member has a first edgeand a second edge interconnected by an outer surface and an innersurface, whereby said first edge, said second edge and said innersurface define said cavity and said first edge having a smaller diameterthan said second edge such that said gemstone is passed through saidsecond edge and retained within said first edge.
 3. The invention ofclaim 2, wherein at least an extension is attached to said inner surfaceconnects to first element such that said gemstone is maintained betweensaid first edge and said first element in a secure fashion.
 4. Theinvention of claim 3, wherein at least a first extension and a secondextension are attached to said first element.
 5. The invention of claim4, wherein said first and second extensions are located on opposingsides of said inner surface and said first element.
 6. The invention ofclaim 4, wherein said first and second extensions are located onsymmetrically opposing sides of said inner surface and said firstelement.
 7. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first element definesan opening therethrough of sufficient size to retain said gemstonewithin said first element.
 8. The invention of claim 3, wherein saidfirst element defines an opening therethrough of sufficient size toretain said gemstone within said first element.
 9. The invention ofclaim 8, wherein said opening of said first element is smaller indiameter than said cavity of said first member.
 10. The invention ofclaim 8, wherein said first member is an article of jewelry selectedfrom a group consisting of at least a ring, a pendant, a necklace, abracelet, an anklet, a brooch, and a belly chain.
 11. The invention ofclaim 8, wherein a second member has a first end and a second endinterconnected by a middle portion and said first and second end arebent around said middle portion to define a gap therebetween, said gapbeing of sufficient size to accommodate said first member such thatfirst end and second end attach to an outer surface of said first memberand an aperture is defined therethrough.
 12. The invention of claim 11,wherein said aperture is of sufficient size to receive a finger of auser.
 13. The invention of claim 8, wherein said first member, saidextension, and said first element are manufactured from a group ofmaterials consisting of at least precious, semi-precious, non-preciousmetals and alloys.
 14. The invention of claim 8, wherein said extensionis connected to said second edge and to said first element, and anattaching member is connected to said outer surface of said first memberand forms a hole therein, said hole being adapted to receive anelongated flexible means therethrough and said elongated flexible meansbeing worn by a user.
 15. A gemstone displaying means having a securingmember, comprising: an opening being defined within said securingmember; said gemstone displaying means having an inner surface and anouter surface and defining a cavity therethrough such that a first edgesurrounds said cavity; said cavity being of sufficient size to receivethe gemstone therein from said inner surface such that said first edgeprevents said gemstone from passing therethrough; and said securingmember extending from the inner surface of the setting to securelyretain said gemstone between said first edge and said securing member.16. The invention of claim 15, wherein at least an extension means isused to attach said securing member to said inner surface of thedisplaying means.
 17. The invention of claim 16, wherein said displayingmeans is a piece of jewelry selected from a group consisting of at leasta ring, a brooch, a bracelet, a necklace, and an anklet.
 18. Theinvention of claim 16, wherein said extension means is axially parallelto a central axis of said cavity and said opening.
 19. The invention ofclaim 16, wherein said extension means is perpendicular to said centralaxis of said cavity and said opening.
 20. A gemstone displaying meanshaving a securing member, comprising: an opening being defined withinsaid securing member; said gemstone displaying means having an innersurface and an outer surface and defining a cavity therethrough suchthat a first edge surrounds said cavity; said cavity being of sufficientsize to receive the gemstone therein from said inner surface such thatsaid first edge prevents said gemstone from passing therethrough; saidopening and said cavity being substantially axially aligned; and atleast a first extension means and a second extension means being locatedon opposing sides of said inner surface and each extension meansconnecting to said securing member to securely retain said gemstonebetween said first edge and said securing member.